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Good morning. My husband Dave aka dieseldave56 here on the forum passed away recently leaving his 2001 Z06..I fully intend on keeping his car. My concern is the car has not been driven for over a year. I know Dave changed the oil before he put the car away. My question is this: I need to get the car 400 miles down to N. California from Oregon where it is currently located. I know the battery is disconnected and a battery minder was put on that but am wondering if there is anything that should be done before I drive the car 400 miles south? The car was in prestine condtion when it was stored. Anyone who knew dieseldave knows his cars are perfect. So I am wondering if I should drive it or possibly rent a car trailer and take a safer approach and trailer it and have it gone through when I get it to N. California. I am coming to get it labor day weekend so will not have time to have anyone look at it while I am in Oregon. What do you guys think? dieseldaveswife.
Good morning. My husband Dave aka dieseldave56 here on the forum passed away recently leaving his 2001 Z06..I fully intend on keeping his car. My concern is the car has not been driven for over a year. I know Dave changed the oil before he put the car away. My question is this: I need to get the car 400 miles down to N. California from Oregon where it is currently located. I know the battery is disconnected and a battery minder was put on that but am wondering if there is anything that should be done before I drive the car 400 miles south? The car was in prestine condtion when it was stored. Anyone who knew dieseldave knows his cars are perfect. So I am wondering if I should drive it or possibly rent a car trailer and take a safer approach and trailer it and have it gone through when I get it to N. California. I am coming to get it labor day weekend so will not have time to have anyone look at it while I am in Oregon. What do you guys think? dieseldaveswife.
Good Morning Mam, I think you'll be just fine for the trip. My only request is to make sure the fluids are all up to where their suppose to be and the tire are fillled to 30 PSI. You'll most likely need to fill the gas tank, so fill it with high octane as is possible and just enjoy the trip. Once again, I'm very sorry for your loss. Please be well and may peace be with you.
If you feel comfortable driving a high performance sportscar with a stick-shift, I would suggest you drive it down. Sounds like he kept it in good shape, so I suggest removing the battery tender, starting up the car, check the tire air pressure and the other fluids and drive it. It would probably do the car good to get out and get moving.
If you don't feel comfortable driving it, perhaps you have a friend who could come with and drive it back.
First off, sorry for your loss.
Sounds like the car was very well maintained and has fresh oil. Personally I wouldn't hesitate to drive the car to California. Get the battery connected and try firing it up. If it seems to run smoothly then you should be good to go. You'll want to top the tank off with fresh fuel at the first opportunity and put in a fuel additive, such at HEET that will dissolve any water that may be in the tank from condensation.
These cars are pretty tough and trouble free.
Good luck and let us know what you end up doing.
Take care.
It is a car...having said that...as long as it fires up when the battery is re-connected, you should be good to go. It will probably stumble a little as soon as you start it (if the gas is a year old) but most likely it will smooth out...let it idle for about 10 minutes. If it can't idle on it's own without shutting off then you may need more help. Definitley add fresh 93 octane asap. If there are no issues when you crank it...then I would say, drive it and enjoy!
Just check the tire pressures, should be about 30psi. Also, check the fluids such as motor oil, brake fluid, etc. Also, make sure it gets filled with 93 octane when you gas it up. Oh, and remove the battery tender then see if the car starts up. Good luck.
Everybody has given great advice. Once the car checks out and is good to go, enjoy the trip, knowing that Dave will be with you and he would want the Z to "stretch its legs" Bless you.
Oh thank you you guys!! I feel so much better. I will go ahead and drive it down. I love Dave and will also love driving his car. Makes me feel so close to him..he always told me wife 1st then Z06..lol. ..I think it was close though..
Thank you for the help! 92 octane..got it...tires at 30 psi..check..Not too hard.
I have driven the car once before..with Dave in the car...I do love that car.
About the fuel additive. So I should put some HEET in it..Do you guys all concure with that?
Oh thank you you guys!! I feel so much better. I will go ahead and drive it down. I love Dave and will also love driving his car. Makes me feel so close to him..he always told me wife 1st then Z06..lol. ..I think it was close though..
Thank you for the help! 92 octane..got it...tires at 30 psi..check..Not too hard.
I have driven the car once before..with Dave in the car...I do love that car.
About the fuel additive. So I should put some HEET in it..Do you guys all concure with that?
I don't think adding heet will be necessary, maybe others with experience will chime in. I have only heard about it through a friend or two. However, I would definatley add the fuel additive. Chevron Techron (I think that's how its spelled) has worked flawlessly for me and is recommended by nearly everyone I know.
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I agree with just check to make sure the tires have the proper air pressure, the fluids are full and the battery is OK. Other than that, have a safe trip.
Dieseldaveswife,
I am so sorry to hear about your loss.
Enjoy your trip in the car and know that Dave will be there with you smiling the whole time.
I ask my wife to take my car out occasionally as I am in Afghanistan. I tell her to not “Baby” it but to be careful. These cars can get out from under you.
She says that she enjoys these little trips because she can feel me sitting right beside her.
Please be careful on your trip and I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.